[A hierarchy of findings within the scope of cerebrovascular diagnosis today]

Table 5 gives an overview as to the timing and indication for diagnostic methods and procedures in cerebro-vascular diseases. Anamnesis and clinical aspects have still leading position. After that, computer-tomography stands first in the diagnostic line, followed by angiography, indicated in the acute phase only in progressive stroke. More often it is used during rehabilitation period for indication towards extra-intracranial anastomosis. Sonography gives informations specially in the extracranial stenoses by duplex sonography. The EEG is still necessary in the early stage and for follow-ups. Cerebro spinal fluid analysis, intern medicine (mainly cardiology) examinations, give extra information and should not be skipped. Psychological exams and intracranial bloodflow-studies are used during rehabilitation. Digital angiography, with the possibility of postprocessing, is in comparison to conventional angiography, less invasive. Nuclear-magnetic-resonance with its fast development is taking now place in the clinical field. Cerebro-vascular patients should be treated in specialized centers where beside the equipment, an experienced team is available, which has required its knowledge on a high number of cases and where the cooperation between the different fields of conservative (intern and neurology) radiology and surgery is guaranteed. This paper however has tried to show the up-to-date-guidelines to the other medical specialties that handle cerebrovascular patients.